Granted

Rating:
Summary: Young poems by a young poet.
Review: After reading the first lovely poem in this book, I was disappointed to find page after page of an indistinct, vaguely expressed voice. The overall tone is quiet and delicate and while there are moments when a gentle lyric almost shines, for the most part this is a poet who has yet to distinguish herself. It is clear that Syzbist is still under the sway of her influences -- early Jorie Graham, Emily Dickinson, Fanny Howe, Wallace Stevens. All great influences. However, rather than depend on the work of her teachers to lead her poems, this young poet needs to use her hard-earned study to find her own direction.

Rating:
Summary: Young poems by a young poet.
Review: Szybist sounds some notes from other poets...W. Stevens (last poem pays direct homage), Roethke's and Gluck's flowers. But when she does it's with her own voice, her own concerns, which are spiritual and carnal. Great music in the poems, intelligent, engaged. One of the strongest collections I've found from the publishing glut that is National Poetry month...if you are looking to separate the wheat from the chaff of first and returning poets and their newest collections, this collection brings together all that (I at least) look for in new poet and collection.

Rating:
Summary: Standout from the recent flood of poetry books
Review: Szybist sounds some notes from other poets...W. Stevens (last poem pays direct homage), Roethke's and Gluck's flowers. But when she does it's with her own voice, her own concerns, which are spiritual and carnal. Great music in the poems, intelligent, engaged. One of the strongest collections I've found from the publishing glut that is National Poetry month...if you are looking to separate the wheat from the chaff of first and returning poets and their newest collections, this collection brings together all that (I at least) look for in new poet and collection.